Electric circuit controlling



J. SACHS V ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Re. 18,524 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 12, l1932.

original Fiied July 18, 1927 /2/7 5'5/75 @1f-1f. ff; h trngy yer JQ SACHS l2 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Original Filed July 18. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fl/5: 5 s F255 hyena-fr -Reiued July 12, i932y i Re, 18,524

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH SACHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING- APPLIANCE rig'inal application filed July 18, 1927, Serial No. 206,732. Renewed December 7, 1929. Original No. 1,755,369, dated April 22, 1930. Application for reissuefiled April 27, 1932. Serial No. 607,848.

The invention relates to a circuit control- Fig. '15 isa fragmentary view similar 'to ling appliance and particularly to a fused Fig. 2 and showing the same construction switch and the invention is especially ap.- as Fig. 4. plicable to a fused switch enclosed in a. casv Figs.4 6, 7 and 8 are views similar respec- 5 ing or cabinet.I A fused switch embodying tively to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but showing an al- 55 the present invention is in some respects simternate embodiment of the invention. 'Ihev ilar to the fused switches disclosed in my section of Fig. 8 is taken along the line 8 8 patents for electric circuitcontrolling appliof Fig. 6. ancesI No. 1,754,443 and No. 1,754,445 dated In the drawings there are shown two pairs` l10 April 15, 1930 and No. 1,7 55,367 dated April of fuse contacts and two separate switching 30 22, 1930. devices but it will be understood that the in- One lobject of the present invention is to veiitioii is not necessarily limited to any parprovide 'a fused switch of the same general ticular number of fuses and switches. The type as disclosed in the aforesaid patents fuse and switch .parts are shown symmetri- 15 buthaving the essential parts thereof difcally disposed with respect to the vertical 65 ferently disposed in relation to 'each other central plane of the appliance and-for the in order to provide coiiipactness and simsake of convenience and simplicity of deplicity.l In accordance with the invention scription I will in the main confine the detliere `is provided an insulating base upon scription to Vthose parts at one side of the 2u the front face of which the fuse and switch said'plane, it being understood that tlie parts parts ai'e mounted, the vswitch parts being at at the other side are or may be the same in one side of the corresponding fuse parts. construction except for reversal of positions.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 1 There is provided a base 1 of insulatingvideI a switch having a. rectilinearlyniovable material having its front face adapted for 25 switching member as disclosed in the aforethe mounting of electrical parts as will pres- 75 lsaid patents, and having improved relatively ently be described. Some or all of the sev- Y movable means for releasably holding the eral fuse and switch contacts of the applimovable switching member in its normal ance are mounted on the base. vThe base is path of movement. preferably relatively thin and it is adapted 33 In the accompanying drawings I have to be mounted directly upon a supporting 80 shown two embodiments of the invention but wall with its rear face in direct contact with .it is to be understood that the drawings are the said supporting wall. The supporting intended for' illustrative purposes only and wall may be the rear wally of an enclosing are not to be construed as delining or limitcabinet.

ing the scope of the invention, the claims Mounted upont-he front face of the vbase is g5 forming a part of this specification being at least one of the two fuse receiving contacts relied upon for that purpose. 2 and 3. As illustrated both contacts are Of the drawings: .i mounted on the base, but the invention is Fig. 1 is a front view of an appliance emnot necessarily so limited. I have shown 4C bodying the invention, partsof the enclosing contacts which are vertically spaced from 00 cabinet being broken away to show vthe ineach other and which are adapted for receivterior construction. ing a cartridge enclosed fuse such as F but Fig. 2 is a bottom .view of the parts shown it will be understood that I do not necessarily in Fig. 1, the enclosing cabinet being shown limit invself to contacts for receiving a fuse er in section .along the line 2- 2 of 1. of this -type. IVhen there are t-wo pairs of 95 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken fuse contacts as shown they are preferably along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1. separated by a barrier 4 formed integrally Fig. 4`is a fragmentary view similar to with the base 1. v Fig. 1 but showing an alternate embodiment The appliance also comprises at least one CC of the invention. pair of stationary switch contacts arranged 10 relationshi As shown there are two pairs struction.

lengage with the said fuse contacts.

of such switch contacts, but it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily vso limited. When there are two pairs they are Vpreferably vertically spaced from each other.

In accordance with one phase of the invention the switch contacts are mounted on the front face of the base 1 and are located at one side of the fuse contacts 2 and 3. As shown the contacts of the lower pair are designated by 5 and 6 and the contacts of the upper pair are designated by 7 and 8. Each stationary switch contact includes a portion 9 which extends perpendicularly forward from the front facie of the base and each of them as shown also includes a U-shaped portion 10 which is carried by the portion v9. The U- shaped portions 10 of each pair of contacts are oppositely disposed to rovide two opposed parallel contact sur aces. The two portions 9 and l() of each contact may be formed integrally with ea-ch other and they are so shown, but it will .be understood that I do not limit myself to this integral -con- Suitable provision is made for mounting eachpcontact upon the base and preferably and as shown there is provideda portion which is formed integrally with the portion 9 of the contact and which extends at right angles to the said portion 9 along the face of the base. The mounting portions connected with the contacts 5 and 8 are designated by 11 and 12 respectively and the mounting portions connected with the contacts 6 and 7 are designated by 13 and 14 respectively. Screws 15, 15 are associated with the portions 11 and 12 and thus hold the contacts 5 and 8 in place. Screws 16, 16 engage the portions 13 and 14 and thus hold the contacts 6 and 7 in place.

In order that a suitable'electrical connection may be established through the fused switch appliance provision is made for electrically connecting one switch contact of one pair with a fuse contact. When there are two pairs of switch contacts one contact of each pair is connected with the corresponding fuse contact, that is, the contacts 6 and 7 are connected with the corresponding fuse contacts 2 and 3. Such electrical connection can lbe made in various ways but preferably and as illustrated the two strips 13 and 14 are extended laterally so as to underlie and directly The aforesaid screws 16, 16 serve tov connect the respective fuse contacts with the corresponding strips as shown. There are provided two wire connecting terminals 17 and 18 which are connected respectively with the strips 10 and 11. These terminalsv are thus electrically connected with the respective contacts 4 and'.

For establishing or breaking electrical connection between the switch contacts of each nata-i vcontacts 5, 6 and 7, 8. y The two movable switching contacts 19 and 20 are preferably carried by an insulating element 21 which with/the said movable contacts constitutes a rectilinearly movable switching member. The insulating element 21 is preferabl in the form of a flat plate, the said contact e ements -19 and 20 extending through it and projecting somewhat beyond'the opposed surfaces thereof as shown. The details of the switch-l ing member may be as shown in my said Patent No. 1,754,443.' With the stationary switch contacts located as shown and as described the said Hat insulating element is arranged lperpendiycularly to the front face of the base 1.

l From the foregoin descri tion it will be apparent that when te switc in member is in the on position as shown in ig. 1 a circuit will be established from the wire connecting terminal 17 throughthe switch contacts 5, 19 and 6 to the fuse contact 2. Similarly a connection is established from the fuse contact 3 through the switch contacts 7, 20 and 8 to the other wire connecting terminal 18. When the switching member is moved downwardfrom the position shown in Fig. 1l the movable contacts 19 and 20. will be disengaged from the stationary switch contacts and the circuit will be broken at two points at each side of the fuse thus making a total of four breaks. The insulating element 21 0f the switching member serves not only as a carrier for the contacts 19 and 20 but it also serves as a barrier which is moved between the opposite stationary contacts immediately upon the disengagement of the corresponding movable contact 19 or 20 therefrom. The switching member is entirely free to adjust itself laterally to conform to the positions of the several stationary switch contacts. If there are any defects in the initial construction or mounting of the stationary contacts or in the subsequent adjustment thereof the switching member will conform thereto and will at all times effect -firm engagement with the contacts and will establish eective electrical connections therewith.

.Preferably the fused switch unit described is .enclosed in a casing or cabinet this ordinarily being so constructed that it can be sealed so as to prevent unauthorized access to any of the parts. I have-shown an enclosin cabinet 22 of sheet metal having a rear wa 23, side walls 24, '24 and end walls 25, 25.

The cabinet has an openable front cover 26 which `Iis shown as being hinged at 27 toy the Cl s.

Y' -vided with a groove 39 into which the insu-A .bottom end wall 25. The base 1 is secured to the rear wall 23 of the cabinet by means of screws 28, 28. Suitable provision is made as indicated at S for sealing the cover in closed position.

A means is provided for operat-ing the switching member or members and when there is an enclosing cabinet such as 22 the spindle-comprising a rod 29 including two pivot sections 30 and 31 which are mounted in bearing clips 32 and 33 secured to the back' wall 23 of the cabinet. The rod 29 is bent to form a manually operable handle 34 outside of the cabinet and also to form a crank section 35 inside of the cabinet andbetween the pivot sections. The crank section is opera- Itively connected with the movable switch member and for this purpose I have shown in the insulating element 21 of each switchmg member a slot36 adapted to receive the said crank section 35.. The slot 36 is preferably open at one end, that is, at the back end, so as to facilitate assembly or disassembly.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that by moving the handle 34 each of the switch member-scan be moved longitudinally upward or'downward as described. With the handle. 34 in its uppermost position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the switching members will be held in their uppermostpositions thus completing the circuit through the appliance. When the handle is ino/ved to its lowermost position the switching members will be moved to their lowermost positions thus separating-the movable contacts 18 and 19 from the stationary contacts 5, 6 and 7, 8 respectively and thus breaking each leg of the Jcircuit at four points as already described. Stops 37 and 38 are provided for limit-ing the throw ofthe handle and thus limiting the movement of the switching members.

A xed guiding means is provided for one edge of the insulating element 21 of the Switching member and preferably this guiding means consists of a portion of the insulating base 1. As illustrated the base is prolating element extends. Another guiding means is provided which engages the opposite edge of the insulating element, that"l is, the front edge. The construction and mounting of this second guiding means may be widely varied but in Figs. 1 to 3 I have shown a guiding means which comprises two extensions 40 and 41 formed respectively on two of the stationary switch contacts as, for instance, on the contacts 6 and 7. Each of these extensions is formed with a lip which extends transversely so as to engage the front edge of the insulating member. It will be lobvious that the extensions 40 and 41 ordinarily prevent any movement of the switching member in the forward direction out of its normal path of movement. However, the extensions 40 and 41 overlap the insulating element 21 only to a slight extent and the entire switching member can be readily removed at any time by forcing it laterally sufiiciently to disengage the insulatingr element from the said extensions 40 and 41. The switching member is thus freely removable for inspection or cleaningl and the removal of the switching member facilitates inspect-ion and cleaning of the stationary contacts.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I 'have shown another form of guiding means adapted to engage one edge of the insulating element of the switching member and this guiding means yis so mounted as to be movable with respect to the path of movement of the switching member andl with respect to the plane of the insulating element 21. As concerns the relatively movable guiding means as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 I do not necessarily limit myself to a fused switch as the movable guiding means as shown may be used in a switch having no provision for receiving a fuse. f

Preferably the movable guiding means for the switching member is carried upon the stationarv switcn contacts and is vertically movable laterally, but this is not essential. As illustrated, however, the two cont-acts of each pairas, for instance, the contacts 5a and 6 are provided with upward extensions 42 and 43 each provided with an angular ange. A guiding element 44 of insulating material is mounted on the flanges of those extensions so as to be laterally movable andas shown it is pivotally connected with one of them as, for instance, the extension 43. Preferably the pivotal connection is effected by means of a screw 45 and a similar screw 46 is carried by the extension 42. The guiding element 44 is provided with a slot 47 receiving the screw 46, the slot permitting. the guiding element to be swung laterally to a. position such as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4 without removing the screw 46. By tightening the screw the guiding element may be clamped in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 4. It will be understood that, when there are two pairs of switch contacts, two guiding elements 44 are preferably provided, one being carried by the lower switch contacts and the other being carried by the upper switch contacts; By releasing the screws 46 and swinging the guiding elements laterally to positions such as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4 the switching element is released for free forward movement. The said members 44, 44 are moved entirely independently of the fuse contacts, and the switching member may be removed without disturbing the fuse contacts.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 'I have shown a construction which is similar in principle to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but which diiers essentially in that the fuses are located near the front so as to be accessible, if desired, through an opening in the front wall or cover in the cabinetfwhile the cabinet is closed.

It will be observed that, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the front cover 26a of the cabinet is provided with an opening 48 therein, and that the base l*l has a forward extending portion 49 which closes the said opening 48 when the cover 26a is closed. The fuse contacts 2 and' are mounted on the forward projecting portion 49 of the base so as to be accessible through the opening 48 in thecovei'.

There are preferably two pairs of such contacts as shown. The base is secured in place in the cabinet by means of screws 28a, 28a.

The stationary switch contacts and the movable switching members are located at opposite sides of the projection 49 on the base and may be substantially the same in construction as already fully described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. "When there are two pairs of stationary switch contacts as shown, the contacts 6 and 7 may include mounting portions 13a and 14a which extend laterally from the ltops of the contacts through recesses in the base so as to. contact with the corresponding fuse clips 2 and 3. The said mounting portions and the said fuse clips are held in-place by means of screws 16, 16a. y

The means for preventing the forward movement of the movable switching members may be as shown in Figs. 1 to,3 but I have ,shown a construction, somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the stationary switch contacts 6 and 7 is provided with an upward extension 43a having a laterally extending flange to .which a guiding element 44 preferably of insulating material is pivoted by means of a screw 45a; As clearly shown in Fig. 6, each guiding element 44a is normally held in the position shown by full lines by reason of itsengagement or substantial engagement with the wall of extension 49 of the base la. The corners 51, 51 of the element 44a normally prevent an)7 considerable movement of the said element about its pivotal axis. However, Ithe resiliency of the extension 437a is such as to permit each element 44a to be moved either upward or downward as, for instance, to a position'such as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6; lVith both of the corresponding guiding elements 44 positioned as shown in Fig. 9 the movable element of,either` switching means is free to .be removed in the forward direction.

The enclosing cabinet is or may be the same as already described except for the front cover thereof. The said cover has an opening therein as already described, andit may if'desired be held closed by means of aflatch 52 and the means for operating the switching members from the exterior of the cabinet may be similar to that already describedv although differing in details. I have shown an operating spindle 29a which includes a handle 34a on the exterior of the cabinet and a cranked section 35a on the interior thereof. Vhen the handle 34a is in. the uppermost position shown in Fig. 8 the switches are closed. When the handle 34aL is moved in the lowermost position shown in Fig. 8 the switching members are moved downward and the switches are opened. A st-op member' 37 is provided for limiting the movement of the handle34a.

As already stated the opening 48 in the cover 26a is closed by the base extension 49 when the cover is closed. As theresult of this con-struction it is impossible to get access to interior of the cabinet or to any of the live electrical parts therein except the fuse contacts after the cover has been closed and sealed. For normally externally closing the opening 48 I preferably provide a transversely or laterally slidable auxiliary cover 53 which is held and guided by means of a member 54. The cover 53 is provided with a knob 55 by means of which it may be moved laterally. lith the parts in the position shown by full lines the auxiliary cover is obstructed bythe handle 34dL so that the auxiliary cover cannot be opened to expose the fuses so longf as t-lie handle 34a remains in the switch closing position. However, whenthe handle is moved downward so as to move the switching members downward to open the circuit the auxiliary cover 53 is then free to be moved laterally toward the right to permit access to the fuse contacts and the fuses; but withf the cover thus moved laterally it is impossible to move the handle 34a to close the circuit. The interlocked cover and handle construction as disclosed does not of itself constitute any part of the present invention, being set forth in my patents for inclosed fused switch, No. 1,721,494 and No. 1,721,495 dated July 16, 1929. x

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating b-ase, two fuse receiving contacts directly'mounted upon the base at the front thereof, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base at the front thereof and at one side of the fuse contacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch Contact of each pair with its corresponding fuse contact, 'a rectilinearly movable switching member 'comprising'an insulating element and two ly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of the base to. engage the conducting elements there# of with the stationary switch contacts or to disen age them therefrom.

2. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two vertically spaced fuse receiving contacts directly mounted upon the base at the front thereof and :adapted for receiving a cartridge enclosed fuse, two vertically spaced pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base at one side of the fuse contacts, each of the contacts'including a portion extending forward perpendicularly to the front face of the. base and one of the contacts of each pair includin a strip fornied integrally with the last sald portion and extending laterally into Adirect'. engagement with the corresponding fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and` normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, means normally engaging thes insulating element ofthe said member to prevent forward movement thereof, and means for rectilinearly moving' the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face ofthe base to engage the conducting elementsithereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

3. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two fuse receiving contacts directly 'mounted upon the base at the front thereof, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base at the. front thereof, and at one side of the fuse contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts, of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, means carried by the stationary switch contacts and normally engaging the insulating element of the said member to prevent forward movement thereof, and

means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of the base to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

4; In an enclosed fused switch` the combination of an enclosing cabinet having an openable front cover with an opening therein, an insulating base within the cabinet having a forward extending portion thereof positioned to normally close the said opening l when the cover is closed, a pair of fuse receiving contacts mounted on the said portion of the base and accessible through the said opening, two pairs of opposed Stationary switch contacts carried by the base at one side of the said forward extending portion thereof, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the stationary switch contacts of the correthereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising a flat insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normallyv engaging the said switch contacts of ythe corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulatin element of the switching member at one e ge, other guiding means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last saidmeans being movable out of engaging position transversely of the plane of the insulating element to permit removal of the switching member out of its normal path of movement, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the two said guiding means to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establisha circuit through the appliance, iixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of the'switching member at one edge, other guiding means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being pivotally mounted at oneside of the said element and being movable about its pivot out of engaging positionl to permit removal of the said member out of its normal path of movement. and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between-the two said guiding means to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising a fiat insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element` of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means carried entirely by the said contacts and normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being movable out of engaging position transversely of the plane of the insulating element to permit removal of the switching member out of its normal path of movement, and means for moving the switchin member rectilinearly between the two sald guiding means to engage the conductin elements thereof with the 'stationary swltch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

8. ln a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two fuse receiving contacts on the base, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact of each pair with its corresponding fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element `and conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means additional to the said base and normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the lastsaid means being movable out of engaging pbsition to permit removal of the switching member, and means for moving the switching. member rectilinearly between the two said guiding means to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengag them therefrom.

9. Ina fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two fuse receiving contacts on the base, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact of each paix-` with its corresponding fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising a fiat insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normallyengagin-g the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means additional to the saidbase and normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, thelast said means being movable out of engaging position transversefront thereof and at one side of the fuse con- 'I tacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact of each pair with its corresponding fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding` pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, the` said insulating element being guided at one edge by the base, guiding means additional to the said base and normally engaging the insulating `element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being carried by the switch contacts and being movable out of engaging position to permit removal of the switching member, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the base and the said guiding means to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom. e

11. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two fuse receiving contacts mounted upon the base at the front thereof, two pairs of opposed stationary switch conta-cts carried by the base at the `front thereof and at one side of the fuse contacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact of each pair with its corresponding fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising a flat insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging theV said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means additional to the said base and normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being m'ovableout ofengaging position transversely of the plane of the insulating element to permit removal of the switching member, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the vtwo said guiding means to engage the conducting'elements thereof with the stationary rswitch contacts or to disengage them therefrom.

12. 1.1.1 a fused switch appliance, the combilos . said fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member 'comprising an insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulatingelement and normally engaging the said' switch contacts to establish a circuit through the appliance, means normally. engaging the insulating element of the sald member to prevent forward movement thereof, and means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of the base to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom.

13. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base having a forward projection thereon, two fuse receiving contacts of 'which one is directly mounted on the front of the projection on the base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base at the front thereof and at one side of the said projection, one switch contact having a lateral extension therefrom which vengages and provides electrical connection with the fuse contact on the projection, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts to establish a circuit through the appliance, means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member to prevent forward movement thereof, and means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallellywith the front face of the base to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom.

14. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts, 'a rectilinearly -movable switching member comprising a Hat insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts to establish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being movable out of engaging position transversely of the plane of the insulating element to permit removal of the switching member out of its normal path of movement, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the two ,said guiding means to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom.

15. Inan electric switch, the combination of a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulating element and normally7 engaging the sairl switch contacts to establish a'circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding mea-ns engaging the insulating element of the switching member at one edge, other guiding means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being pivo'tally mounted at one side of the said element and being movable about its pivot out of rengaging position to permit removal of the said member out of its normal path of movement, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly Y between the two said guiding 4 `means to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts f or to disengage it therefrom.

16. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of two stationary fuse receiving contacts, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact with one fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprisin an insulatin element and a conducting e ement carried y the insulating element and normall engaging the said switch contacts to esta lish a circuit through the appliance, fixed guiding means engaging the insulating element of 'the switching member at'one edge, other guiding means normally engaging the insulating elementI of the said member at the other edge thereof, the last said means being movable out of engaging position independently of either fuse contact to permit removal of the switching member, and-means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the two said guiding means to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contact or to disengage it therefrom.

17'. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of two stationary fuse receiving contacts, an insulating base, a pair of opposed statitonary switch contacts on the base,

conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact with one fuse contact, a rectilinearly movable swltching member comprising an insulating element and a .lll

thereof, the last said lmeans beingmovable out of engaging position independently of either'fuse contact to permit removal of the switching member in the forward direction, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the base andthe said guiding means to' engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom.

18. In a fused switch appliance, thecombination of an insulating base, two 'stationary fuse receiving contacts of which one is carried by the base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts on the base, conducting means for electrically connecting one switch contact with the said fuse contact on the base, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and a con-I ducting element carried by the insulating element and normally enga ing the said switch contactsto establish a circuit through the appliance, the said insulating element of the switching member having engagement at its rear-edge with the base to be guided thereby, guiding means additional to the said base and normally engaging the insulate ing element of the said member at the front edge thereof, the last said means being movable out of engaging position independently of either fuse contact to permit removal of the switching member in the forward direction, -and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the,base y,and the said uiding means to engage the conducting e ement thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom.

19. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two fuse receiving contacts of which one is directly mounted on the ybase at the front thereof, a-

pair ofeopposed stationary switch contacts mounted on the base at/the front thereof and at one side of the fuse contacts, conducting means for electrically "connecting one switch contact with the said fuse contact on the base, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts to establish a circuit through the appliance, the said insulating element being guided .at-its rear edge by the base, guiding means additional to the said base and ormally en aging the insulating element of the said mem er at the front edge thereof, the last said means being movable out of engaging position independently of the fuse contacts to permit removal of the switching member in the forward direction, and means for moving the switching member rectilinearly between the base and the said guiding means to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary'switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom. .Y

20. In a fused switch appliance, the comtacts, a rectilinearly movable switching memy ber comprising an insulating element and a conducting element carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts to establish a circuit through the appliance, means normally engaging the insulating element ofthe said member to prevent forward movement thereof, and means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of the base to-engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom. v

21. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried byjthe baseat the front thereof, each of the said contacts comprising a single piece of metal including a contact portion perpendicular to the front of the base and a mounting portion at right angles to the contact portion and engagingthe base, a pair of spaced fuse contacts each in direct engagement withone of the said single-piece switchV contacts of the corresponding pair of such contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elements carried by the insulating element and normally engaging the said switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, means normally engaging the insulating element of the said member to prevent forward movement thereof, and means for rectilinearlymoving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of the base to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom. y

22. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried b v the base at the front thereof. each of the said contacts comprising a single piece of metal i cluding a contact portion perpendicular to the front of the base and a mounting portion at right angles vto the contact'portion and engaging the base. a pair of spaced fuse cony tacts one of which is in direct engagement theA appliance', means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the front face of thebase to engage the conducting element thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage it therefrom, and means normally engaging the 'insulating element of the said swltchin g member to prevent forward movement thereof, the said means being supported w entirelyT by the single-piece switch contacts and being movable relatively to the said switch and fuse contactsto permit removal of the switching member in the forward direction.

- 23. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base at the front thereof, each of the said contacts comprising aI single piece of metal including a Contact portionperpendicular to the front of the base and a mounting portion at right angles to the contact portion and en-` gaging the base, a pair of spaced fuse contacts each in direct engagement with one of the said single-piece Iswitch contacts of the corresponding pair of such contacts, a rectilinearly movable switching member comprising an insulating element and two conducting elemcnts carried b v the insulating $0 element and normally engaging the said f'switch contacts of the corresponding pairs to establish a circuit through the appliance, means for rectilinearly moving the switching member approximately parallelly with the 15 front face of the base to engage the conducting elements thereof with the stationary switch contacts or to disengage them therefrom, and means normally engaging the insulating element of the said switching mem- 0 ber to prevent forwardmovement thereof, the said means, being supported entirely by the single-piece switch contacts and being movable relatively to the said switch and fuse l, contacts to permit removal of the switching member in the forward direction.

` In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of April, 1932.

JGSEPH SACHS. 

